notself

Notself is a term used in philosophy and religious traditions to describe the absence of a permanent, independent self. In Buddhist thought, the closest traditional term is anattā (Pāli) or anātman (Sanskrit), commonly translated as not-self. The doctrine states that there is no unchanging essence that constitutes a person; what we call a self arises from dependent, momentary phenomena rather than a fixed core.

The term not-self is widely used by translators and scholars to discuss both a doctrinal claim in early Buddhism and a phenomenological claim about the everyday sense of “I.” It is often contrasted with conventional notions of self that people rely on in ordinary life, while pointing to an absence of intrinsic, self-originating essence in any person or object.

In Buddhism, not-self is closely associated with the five aggregates (skandhas): form, sensation, perception, mental formations, and consciousness. These aggregates are impermanent and interdependent, and clinging to a fixed self leads to craving and suffering. Realization of not-self is considered a step on the path to liberation (nirvana), achieved through insight and disciplined practice such as meditation and ethical conduct.

Scholarly interpretations vary. Some traditions emphasize a strict nonexistence of any self, while others describe not-self as empty of inherent essence rather than as pure nonexistence. In modern psychology and cognitive science, not-self is discussed in terms of how the brain constructs self-representation and boundary experiences. Mindfulness-based therapies often use the not-self idea to reduce ego reactivity and rumination, promoting a more flexible sense of self.

See also: Anatta, Anatman, Self (Buddhism).